Autocross Options Options

[johnmhudson111]

Looking at setting up a 914 for autocrossing (PCA and SCCA mainly) with an eye toward DE and club racing. Is there a current set-up that is more competitive than another? As we are starting with a clean sheet of paper at this point our options are only limited by our wallets. Here is what I was thinking, take a clean 914 2.0 as a starting point and add any needed safety equipment (roll bar/cage) learning a bit with that. Buy a junker 911 with a good motor and suspension (thinking an SC) swap it over and go from there. In looking at the PCA club racing rules the 3L SC would put you in the "big boy" class so we had talked about taking it down to a 2.8L if that is even possible. What do you guys think?

[johnmhudson111]

That is kind of the game plan, start with a "stock" car and take it to the limit of the rules, learn to drive and make planned modifications. We plan to get to the trailer monster in time.

I guess the real question, like you said, becomes, do we want to focus on PCA, SCCA, or???

[jhadler]

That is kind of the game plan, start with a "stock" car and take it to the limit of the rules, learn to drive and make planned modifications. We plan to get to the trailer monster in time.

Well, now that depends on what you establish "stock" to be. In SCCA autox, Stock still allows for some modifications. Shocks, tires, exhaust, and alignment are the main ones. In PCA it depends on what region you run in as some have difference rules than others. In some cases, "Stock" allows spring and torsion bar changes. It really comes down to the rules. Pick a class, and build the car to the limits of the rules for THAT class. It doesn't mean you can't play in other clubs, but you are not likely to be built competitively for any other club once you optimize for a certain class.

I guess the real question, like you said, becomes, do we want to focus on PCA, SCCA, or???

Depends on what you're looking for. If you looking for lots of options, and lots of seat time, mostly for play, PCA is hard to go wrong. You will generally get more runs/day at a PCA autox than in the SCCA. You will also have PCA DE events to play in as well. For the top competition, SCCA is where the big dogs play. Yes, I'm sure I'm poking a stick in a hornets nest by saying that, but it's true. The level of competition is higher in the SCCA, and better drivers come from that program. Not to say that there aren't some seriously talented hot-shoes that run in the PCA, there are, no doubt about it. But the overall level of competition, in all classes, is much higher at SCCA events than in PCA events.

It really boils down to this: What do you want to do with the car? If it's National Competition, you need to examine the rules carefully, and choose the class accordingly. If it's having fun at the local level, and making the occasional stab at TTOD, then build the car of your dreams, screw the class rules, and drive, drive, drive.

-Josh2

[johnmhudson111]

If it's having fun at the local level, and making the occasional stab at TTOD, then build the car of your dreams, screw the class rules, and drive, drive, drive.

I think at this point we should just have fun and not worry about it for right now, we have to relearn how to drive, once we get super serious we can fine tune the set up of the car.

Thanks....

[jhadler]

If it's having fun at the local level, and making the occasional stab at TTOD, then build the car of your dreams, screw the class rules, and drive, drive, drive.

I think at this point we should just have fun and not worry about it for right now, we have to relearn how to drive, once we get super serious we can fine tune the set up of the car.

Thanks....

Okay, that being said...

For a relatively stock car (not a built motor or a 6), I've found that the following setup provides a very good handling car for autox, and occasional track days.

21 mm front torsion bars
22 mm front sway bar
200# rear springs
Konis at all four corners

Alignment to taste, but a little toe in at the rear, and near neutral in the front.

I have slightly flared the rear to fit 225's, but a 205/50-15 shoudl fit under stock fenders if you've got the right wheels (factory 4-lug Fuchs are the only original wheels that will accommodate that size tire under the original body work).

YMMV...

-Josh2